JOINT DECLARATIONON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA AND THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 16/2019) |
The Signatories to this Joint Declaration, hereinafter referred to as "the Sides",
Guided by the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, the relevant Acts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the values and principles of the Council of Europe,
Fully respecting shared values of democracy, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Stressing their commitment to promote multilateralism and a global order based on international law,
Reaffirming the excellent level of their bilateral relations, based on the close, historic bonds that the two nations share,
Stressing their strong mutual will for an enduring friendship and for the establishment of Strategic Partnership,
Valuing their longstanding and reliable partnership in the Defense sector,
Reaffirming the European prospect of the Western Balkans, based on the 2003 Thessaloniki agenda, which was unequivocally supported in Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017, and the 2018 Western Balkans - EU Summit held in Sofia.
Recalling the bilateral Memorandum signed in Belgrade, on 31 July 2010, regarding cooperation for the acceleration of the integration process of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union,
Acknowledging remarkable progress of the Republic of Serbia as regards European Union accession criteria and committing themselves to undertaking all necessary efforts in order to welcome the Republic of Serbia to the European Union family as soon as possible,
Focusing on their shared ambition of building a neighbourhood of peace, stability and prosperity and with a view to further consolidating peace, security and cooperation in Southeastern Europe,
Recalling their mutual engagement in regional cooperation and promotion of good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans region and beyond,
Acknowledging the positive effect of the Prespes Agreement to the stability and prosperity of the entire region and the potential it creates,
Recalling the common understanding of the Sides on a wide range of international issues, strengthened through longstanding cooperation in the International Organizations,
Mutually agreeing upon deepening even further their relations, in confirmation of their longstanding friendship and close cooperation,
Building upon bilateral agreements in force,
Agreeing that this Declaration should serve as a sound basis to nurture even further the bilateral cooperation of the two countries, setting goals and priorities for new concrete agreements to be concluded,
Having as their utmost interest the benefit of their people and the region as a whole,
Decided to raise their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, in order to establish a robust cooperation and intensely exploit untapped potential in their relations, to the benefit of the people of both countries, as well as of the region as a whole. The Strategic Partnership of the two Sides will be promoted on the basis of the pillars mentioned below by section:
a. Political Cooperation and Cooperation in International Organizations
The Sides commit themselves to further strengthening and deepening their strategic cooperation through bilateral and European programs, i.e. by exchanging experts and providing know-how on implementing the European acquis, with the aim to promote European integration of the Republic of Serbia, in the framework of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the European Union and the accession criteria that the EU has set in this regard.
The Sides shall cooperate closely with a view to the realisation of commitment of the Republic of Serbia to European Union integration as a strategic objective, which would also positively affect the European integration process of the entire Western Balkans region.
The Memorandum of 2010 between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Serbia on cooperation regarding the latter’s integration process to the European Union is one of the key mechanisms for supporting the Republic of Serbia in its reform efforts.
The Sides commit to enhance the institutional cooperation between the relevant national institutions in charge of European affairs, as well as between their Public Administrations in the context of the TAIEX and Twinning instruments of the European Union, through the sharing of good practices and the provision of expertise and know-how as regards the transposition and implementation of European acquis, with the ultimate goal of fostering a long-term relationship between the two Sides’ administrations.
The Sides shall exchange expertise and know-how with a view to improving the Republic of Serbia absorption capacity of European Union funding, so as to increase the efficiency and overall effectiveness of European Union pre-accession assistance.
The Sides shall strengthen cooperation in the framework of regional initiatives, such as the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, and the Berlin Process. They shall also use the potential and dynamics of initiatives, such as the Quadrilateral Cooperation scheme between the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, the Rhodes Conference for Security and Stability and the Athens Conference on Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East, to further promote the common aim of close and fruitful cooperation among the partners in Southeastern Europe. They express also their common wish to discuss including other parties of the region in cooperative schemes as needed, in order to enhance security and promote development and prosperity.
Building on the already positive experience, the Sides commit to intensify efforts to promote initiatives and mutually support candidatures in International Organizations and Regional Organizations of which they are Member States.
b. Defence, Security and Civil Protection Cooperation
The Sides express their common goal to further develop and deepen their bilateral defence cooperation on the basis of their Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed in Belgrade, on 9 November 2006. They will continue engaging in common defense projects, including training, joint military exercises, the cooperation between defense industries, etc.
The Sides strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and reiterate their belief that combating the threat of terrorism requires a comprehensive strategy involving all international partners and a wide anti-terrorist agenda, also focusing on the root causes of radicalization leading to violent extremism.
In line with their commitment and determination to support every initiative which contributes to the security and stability of the Western Balkans, the Sides stress the need to focus on the phenomenon of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and the challenges that their return presents. The Sides shall enhance cooperation in preventing financing of terrorism in all its forms.
In the above-mentioned context, the Sides shall enhance their operational and institutional cooperation between their respective Law Enforcement Authorities and Intelligence Services. This cooperation shall take the form of sharing of information and best practices, enhanced communication between their respective Law Enforcmenet Authorities and Intelligence Services, joint exercises and regional cooperation with other neighbouring countries.
The Sides shall reinforce their cooperation within the framework of the European Union Common Security and Defence Policy, particularly in crisis management operations including through the participation of the Republic of Serbia to the HELBROC Battlegroup and in defence capability programs implemented by the European Defence Agency.
The Sides shall also reinforce their cooperation in the field of of Civil Protection, mainly in disaster prevention and emergency management, and assistance in the event of natural and other disasters, by enhancing institutional communication, coordination and cooperation of the relevant authorities, thus contributing to the security and well-being of both states.
Building upon the Agreement on Economic and Technological Cooperation, signed in Belgrade, on 9 May 2002, the Sides commit to further bolstering their bilateral economic relations in all areas. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the enhancement and deepening of bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, transport, energy, mining, infrastructure, digitalization and telecommunications, with a special focus on the promotion of the interconnectivity in the Western Balkans region.
The Sides shall undertake efforts aimed at further increasing their bilateral trade in goods, at providing support to the business communities in both countries and at directing and encouraging investment towards the creation of synergies to the benefit of their economic cooperation.
The Sides commit to engage actively to enhance the interconnectivity within the region of the Western Balkans, as well as with the European Union, in terms of transport, energy and digitalization, including through the realisation of infrastructure projects and the provision of services. The Sides shall examine the possibility of funding such cooperation projects and programs through the European Union mechanisms of institutional cooperation and funding, also in the fields of research and technology, as well as the environment, with a view to specifically promoting the development of the SMEs in both countries.
With regard to the transport sector, particular emphasis will be placed on upgrading the (Piraeus) Thessaloniki - Skopje - Belgrade - Budapest rail connection, a project that will enhance the interconnectivity within the region of South East Europe and of the region with Central European markets, to the benefit of multimodal transport and overall trade and people connections in the region. The Sides shall also seek to enhance their cooperation in the framework of European projects.
Acknowledging the importance of regional approach to address and deal with common energy challenges, the Sides recognize the contribution of regional cooperation frameworks, such as the Energy Community and the Central and South-Eastern European Gas Connectivity (CESEC) initiative, to improving market integration and supply diversification in the SEE region.
The Sides commit to expand their bilateral cooperation in order to maximize energy security through multiple and alternative, cost efficient and competitive energy interconnections. In this framework, the Sides underline the importance of the "Southern Gas Corridor" (SGC), one of the most complex gas value chains ever developed in the world, with the completion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) within 2019. To this end, the sides actively encourage the realization of TAP’s interconnectors such as the IGB and the IBS, as parts of the "Vertical Gas Corridor".
Remaining actively engaged with improving energy market conditions, facilitating access to major energy hubs and enhancing energy interconnectivity, the two Sides welcome the development of infrastructure projects, such as the recently upgraded LNG terminal in Revithousa and the planned floating storage and regasification unit -FSRU- in Alexandroupolis, that will contribute to the energy security of the SEE region and of Europe as a whole.
Acknowledging the potential for joint actions presented by Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency, the Sides shall promote the business and technological cooperation between their relevant bodies and business communities in projects that could include the installation of wind and photovoltaic parks, decentralized innovative RES solutions, research and development of enhanced geothermal systems, storage technologies, smart networks and digital net-metering systems, energy efficiency improvement solutions in buildings, etc.
The Parties decide freely and in their mutual benefit to join forces and agree to examine the possibility of establishing renewable cooperation mechanisms in order to meet their national targets in the field of renewable energy cooperation, in case one Party launches with the other a proposal to activate cooperation mechanisms applicable to their relationship. Cooperation mechanisms shall have the meaning of and be implemented as defined in RES Directive 2009/28/EC and the revised RES Directive (EU) 2018/2001,taking into account their provisions, and the national legislation of both Parties. Priority in the interpretation of cooperation mechanisms shall be given to European Union regulations governing renewable energy cooperation mechanisms among European Union Member States.
The Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Serbia also express their willingness to enhance their cooperation in the electricity sector, through the establishment of technical working groups between their Independent Power Transmission Operators, with the aim of providing solutions to challenges such as continuous and uninterrupted electricity supply, market transparency and optimal utilization of all available resources, in full respect of the principles of sustainable development under respective economic, social and environmental terms.
The Sides also commit to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, with a special focus on the development of synergies in common interest sectors, such as cultural tourism, gastronomic and wine or enotourism, religious/pilgrimage tourism and ecotourism.
d. Culture, Education, Civil Society, Youth and Sports Cooperation
The Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Serbia, guided by a mutual interest in promoting cooperation in the fields of culture and education, shall intensify efforts aiming at fully implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation signed in Thessaloniki, on 13 July 2017 and timely concluding Executive Programmes according to the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Science and Culture, signed in Athens on June 18, 1959.
They shall cooperate in cultivating and preserving their cultural heritage.
The Sides shall implement the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Cooperation between their respective Diplomatic Academies signed also in Thessaloniki, on 13 July 2017, by exchanging visits and joint lectures.
The Sides shall expand and deepen cooperation and exchanges in the fields of education and culture, by organizing joint projects in universities, think tanks and NGOs. They shall promote cooperation in common projects under the European programs on Education, Culture, youth and sports, namely, "Erasmus+" and Creative Europe’s sub-program "Culture". They shall encourage the cooperation of the European Capitals of Culture 2021 Elefsis (the Hellenic Republic) and Novi Sad (the Republic of Serbia), in order to support the international outlook of the bids, boost cultural tourism and forge cultural ties between our countries.
Both sides intend to promote cooperation in the field of arts, including contemporary art. The cooperation may encompass the areas of film promotion, young artists’ events and interlinking of artists. Concrete projects are, with the inclusion of intermediary organizations, if applicable, to be identified and implemented, step by step, within the scope of regular contacts.
With the aim to further strengthen bilateral ties at the civil society level, the Sides shall encourage people mobility, fully respecting the obligations of the Hellenic Republic deriving from the Schengen Acquis and obligations of the Republic of Serbia deriving from the visa-free regime for the citizens of the Republic of Serbia to travel to the Schengen Area.
With the aim to enhance youth interaction, the Sides shall systematically pursue exchange programmes of young students and junior employees in the public sector, as well as joint projects at the local administration level.
The Sides shall favour multidimensional development of cooperation and exchanges between institutions, trade unions and associations of the two countries.
The Sides shall also explore ways to enhance their existing bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of sports and in particular in the areas of training of young athletes, coordination and exchange of expertise and information between the national sports associations of the two countries for the hosting or the co-hosting of major international sporting events.
e. Scientific and Technological Cooperation
The Sides express their common aim to expand and deepen their bilateral scientific and technological ties on the basis of the Agreement on Economic and Technological Cooperation, signed in Belgrade, on 5 May 2002. In particular:
They shall organize joint research programmes, visits and meetings/symposiums between experts from both countries and they shall promote the exchange of scientific and technological expertise. They shall encourage cooperation in joint projects under the "Horizon 2020" program.
They shall strengthen cooperation in the health sector, promoting training and scientific programmes of mutual interest and exchange of expertise, in particular between University units and hospitals. They shall develop cooperation and exchange experiences and good practices in areas of public health, control and prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and communicable disease prevention and control.
They shall promote scientific and technological cooperation in the Agriculture sector based on the Agreement for Cooperation in the field of Agriculture, signed in Belgrade, on 30 March 2012. The Hellenic Republic is willing to provide expertise and know-how in this respect, including on bio-agriculture.
They shall enhance research, innovation, telecommunications and scientific cooperation at all levels, seeking opportunities for joint projects that will increase interaction and communication between scientific communities and Academics in both countries.
f. Cooperation in the field of protection of the environment and environmental issues
The Sides acknowledge the global threat of climate change and the need to take further action in order to address this challenge in view of the relevant acquis communautaire of the European Union. They reaffirm their commitment to protect, preserve and manage in a sustainable manner the environment, the natural resources and the biodiversity as well as mainstream environmental considerations in all sectors of cooperation,
The Sides could further develop their cooperation in the following areas: climate change mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts; air quality; biodiversity protection and management of protected and ecologically sensitive areas; circular economy, waste management and recycling; integrated water resources management, including pollution prevention and wastewater treatment; industrial pollution control and risk management; energy efficiency and renewable energy sources; technological and scientific cooperation in the field of low carbon power; promotion of the relations of the relevant scientific institutions; green economy and sustainable development including the implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); environmental permitting and reduction of bureaucracy in line with the European Union environmental acquis; capacity building; education and awareness raising; citizen engagement, as well as other areas of environmental protection as mutually deemed appropriate.
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